Jam session promotes ASA, entrepreneurs

The African Students Association hosted a Jam Session on Tuesday in Cullen Auditorium to raise awareness of their club, as well as support student entrepreneurs at ACU.

Chantal Mwiza, sophomore accounting major from Kigali, Rwanda and treasurer of ASA, said she hoped the Jam Session caught the attention of multiple students around campus.

“I don’t think people know we have an ASA on campus,” Mwiza said. “We’re trying to reach other kids on campus by offering them something that everyone’s interested in by using artists who are known on campus.”

Mwiza said she wanted to use the Jam Session as a way to raise money for next year’s ASA activities, instead of having to rely on Students’ Association.

“We want to try and figure out ways to raise money for ourselves,” Mwiza said.

The Jam Session had performances by Claire Heath, Wes Robbins Band and Anthony Hill, and it also featured on-sale items from student-run businesses.

Tim Rappaport, freshman kinesiology major from Jackson, N.J., was one of the entrepreneurs featured at the Jam Session and also sponsored the event. He runs a company called “Fixit” that repairs iPhones.

He said when Mwiza approached him to help, he was thrilled.

“I’m trying to get my name out there so that kind of drew me to help them,” Rappaport said.

Rappaport said the music at Jam Session could bring everyone together.

“The bands are all students so I think their friends and students would like to come and enjoy their talent,” Rappaport said.

Other student entrepreneurs included Erika Reagan, who crochets scarves and Emily Kruse, who makes headbands.

Mwiza said it is a personal passion for her to see entrepreneurs get support.

“As a business major, I love to see students who are just doing their thing,” Mwiza said.

A portion of the money raised by the student-businesses will go toward ASA.

Mwiza said they decided to host an event everyone could come together and enjoy.

“We’ve had some African activities,” Mwiza said. “But we’re trying to open ourselves to new ideas.”

Mwiza said this is part of her goal for ASA.

“I want people to know that we exist,” Mwiza said. “We are here to serve everyone.”